SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Sophomore guard Xavier Phillips (Dripping Springs/Dripping Springs) scored 23 points - including 10 points in overtime, but Calvin University was able to hold on for a 76-74 victory over the Bulldogs in The Leslie Robinson Classic at Calgaard Gymnasium on the campus of Trinity University on Tuesday.
Calvin used a late rally in the second half and carried that momentum into overtime to outlast the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs held a 51-46 lead midway through the second half against the highly-touted Knights before the Knights timely scoring and Bulldogs cold streak from the field allowed Calvin to force an extra period. Calvin outscored Texas Lutheran 13-11 in those five extra minutes.
Phillips led the Bulldogs with 23 points while Sebastian Andrade (El Paso/Americas) added 21 points and grabbed seven boards. Jamir Mason (Pearland/St. Thomas Episcopal) contributed 19 points and six rebounds along with a team-high three assists.
After a tightly contested start, Texas Lutheran was able to move out to a 26-20 lead just over halfway through the first half. Neither team necessarily struggled from the field in the first half, but stifling defense from the Bulldogs kept the Knights at bay as the Bulldogs led for the entire duration of the first half.
The Bulldogs defense kept them alive in the second half as they led for 13:05 of the second half despite numerous stretches of cold shooting - allowing the Knights to get back in the game. After a nice baseline inbound play with seven seconds remaining gave Calvin a 63-61 advantage, Xavier Phillips drove the length of the floor for a layup to tie the game and force overtime.
After six straight points from Xavier Phillips gave the Bulldogs a one-point lead with 1:43 remaining, Calvin was able to win the battle on the boards, force some untimely Bulldogs turnovers, and make some timely free throws to escape with a 76-74 win.
Texas Lutheran returns to action on Tuesday, December 28th, as they travel to Austin to face Concordia University. Tip-off is slated for 3 PM. All streaming and stat links can be found on tlubulldogs.com.
